Aeroplane.



E. m uemss.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY IT 1917.

Patented 0st. 29,1918.

3 $HEETSSHEET 1.

E. H. HUGHES.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1?. I911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented 001;. 29, 1918.

E. H. HUGHES.

AEROPLANE. I APPLICATION FILED JULY 17.1917.

133,190 Patented 001;. 29, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3- are art WE EDWARD HATELEY nuenns, or CANTON, OHIO.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Oct. 29, 11918.

Applicationfil'ed July 17, 1917. Serial No. 181,082.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD HA'rnLEY H'Uenns, a subject of the King of England, and resident of Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented cerrender the same stable during flight and capable of carrying a plurality of passengers thereon.

Another and equally importantobject of the invention is to provide the aeroplane with novelly arranged planes, the same being so positioned as to stabilize the machine during flight and to equally impart all stress applied thereto throughout the frame of the machine; also, to allow quick ascension and descension of the machine.

Another important characteristic of the invention resides in the hinged mounting of the aeroplanes and the connecting of the same so that they may be moved collectively to govern the flight of the machine.

Other independent objects are to provide features of construction of portions of the aeroplane which tend toward the attainment of the above aims irrespective of the relation in which they are used.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists of the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of the various possible embodiments of my invention;

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the improved aeroplane;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of one set of airplanes; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail in top plan showing the arrangement of certain of the airplanes and the steering means of the machine.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, the ll'llPlOVGCl aeroplane comprises a frame designated in its entirety by the numeral 1 and composed of vertically and horizontally arranged bars. Truss wires 2 extend diagonallyof the frame and are connected thereto through suitable eyelets or other devices and, obviously, serve to brace the construction and cause the equal distribution of stress or other abnormal strain throughout the frame. A cabin 3 is arranged in the bottom of the frame 1, and if desired, may be divided into a plurality of compartments to provide living quarters for the passen ers of the machine.

To fac1htate starting and landing of the aeroplane, the frame is provided with oppositely disposed wheels f journaled in bearings carried by the frame, said wheels being spaced apart throughout the length thereof.

A plurality of sets of airplanes, generally indicated by the numeral 5 are provided and are hingedly secured as at 6 to the various vertical bars or standards of the frame 1, thus, allow1ngthe same to be moved lnto various positions to facilitate the ascension and descension of the aeroplane. To brace the various planes 5 throughout their lengths, vertically disposed truss wires 7 are connected to suitable eyelets arranged thereon and, as will be appreciated, cause the various sets of airplanes to be moved collectively. It will also be noted, that the different sets of airplanes are arranged longitudinally and in set relation to each other, thus, causing the stress as may be applied to the same when the aeroplane is in flight to be equally distributed throughout the length of the frame and to also, facilitate the ascension and descension of the aeroplane.

The plane of the set of airplanes arranged adjacent to the rear extremity of the frame 1 are arranged at a greater distance apart than the planes of the remaining sets and enable a greater displacement of air, thus, serving as means for steadying the machine.

A plurality of truss wires 8 connect the upper planes of the outermost sets to heads 9 fixedly mounted upon the upper portions of the forward and rear extremities of the frame 1. By so bracing the forward and rear sets of planes, it will be readily understood that they will be enabled to withstand the abnormal strains imparted to the same during the flight of the aeroplane. Other truss wires are secured to the upper planes of the intermediate sets and have their re maining ends secured to the adjacent portions of the top of the frame 1, these portions of the frame being rigidly spaced apart by means of cross bars 11, thereby preventing collapsing of the same upon transmission of a great stress thereto.

As means for controlling the flight of the machine, control cables 12 are connected to each set of planes; and extend forwardly of the frame 1 into the cabin 3 whereat'they are connected to suitable steering apparatus, not shown. Contractile coiled springs 12 are interposed in the connections between the cables 8 and 10 andthe frame and heads 9 and serve to return the planes to their normal positions.

Rearwardly of the frame 1 and pivotally secured in suitable bearingsthereto is a rudder 13 having the endsof controlling cables 14 secured thereto, these cables in turn, passing in opposite directions over the pulleys 15 forwardly of the machine into connection with the steering apparatus thereof. By varying the positioning of the rudder 13 through the medium of the cables 14, the course of the aeroplane may be changed by the operator at will.

A plurality of shafts 16 are arranged longitudinally of the frame 1 and journaled in suitable bearings. Upon the opposite ex- "tremitiesof these shafts 16 propellers 17 are mounted, while pulleys 18 are-also mounted on the said shafts and receive thereabout power transmitting belts 19, which extend diagonally downwardly into engagement with the driving pulley 20 arranged upon the power shaftof a motor 21 or other prime mover. It is of course to be understood that the motor 21 is capable of being operated at a high velocity in order that the aeroplane will be driven through the air.

Connected to the bottom planes of the various sets are truss wires 22, the lower ends of which are connected to cross bars 23 arranged upon the bottom of the frame 1, thus rigidifying the frame.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification, and such modification as is within the scope of my claim, I consider within the spirit of my in vention.

I claim:

An aeroplane comprising spaced members and transverse connecting members, ground wheels for the frame, a cabin in the lower portion of the frame, shafts running longitudinally of the frame, propellers on the front and rear ends of the shafts, transverse planes arranged in the frame in longitudinally spaced relation and staggered relation with respect to planes of adjacent series, operating means for the planes, said planes be ing hinged at their forward edges, truss members for the uppermost planes and the lowermost. planes, the trusses of the uppermost planes including resilient elements in the form of springs, and steering means within the area of the frame at the rear thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto.

EDWARD HATELEY HUGHES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five centseaeh; by addressingthe Commissioner 0! Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

